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Hobo with a Shotgun
Stars: Rutger Hauer, Molly Dunsworth, Brian Downey, Robb Wells, Gregory Smith, Nick Bateman
Director: Jason Eisener
Director Eisener obviously clings to the creed that nothing succeeds like excess. But this heavily stylised offshoot from Tarantino's Grindhouse film is probably a bit too far over the top as a blood-soaked descendant of Clint Eastwood's spaghetti western High Plains Drifter to be as much fun as it wants to be.
Spurred on by the spoof trailer seen in Grindhouse, Eisener posits Hauer as the tramp drifting through a desolate town bossed by crime lord The Drake (Downey), who delights in removing limbs, and, in some cases, the heads of those who challenge his role.
Befriended by hooker Abby (Dunsworth), the hobo tells her that 'you seem like a smart, intelligent girl' before finally rebelling against the casual carnage, grabbing himself a shotgun and turning the town and its corrupt police on its head.
Blood flows, and various body parts are lost in the process, not least those belonging to The Drake's two sons. Garish in its Technicolor g(l)ory, the film certainly does have its roots in those westerns about peaceable men driven to confront bad guys and finally aided by a shamed crew of townsfolk. All a bit too much and a bit too basic in this version, though, even if it may be a welcome boost for Hauer's once-stellar career.
David Quinlan
USA 2010. UK Distributor: The Associates. Technicolor.
85 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 18.
Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 3, Drugs 1, Swearing 2.
Review date: 10 Jul 2011